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Date: Fri 14 Oct 2022
By Steve Whitney
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South club Salisbury have moved swiftly to replace the long-serving Steve Claridge as manager by appointing former player Brian Dutton.
Dutton is well known at the club from his time as a player at the Ray Mac and he’s been a regular visitor ever since.
After starting out at Pickeing Town in his native Yorkshire, the 37-year-old went on to have spells with Cambridge United, Weymouth, Eastleigh, Dorchester Town, Harrogate Town, Northwich Victoria, Havant & Waterlooville and Eastbourne Borough as well as a couple of spells with Salisbury, making over 170 appearances and scoring 11 goals.
He’s now an experienced and highly qualified coach having worked at Walsall and, most recently, Bristol Rovers in the role of academy manager before leaving for family reasons in July.
He is looking to work closely with the Salisbury youth system and has long-term ideas he wants to integrate into the Salisbury development side. Bringing unity to the pathway to give talent an opportunity to make it through to the First team.
He’s looking forward to getting started and will be in the dugout tomorrow when Salisbury visit North Leigh.
Dutton told his club’s website: “Well, what can I say, it’s great to be back at the Ray Mac taking over as manager.
“Those who know me are aware I come from Yorkshire, but Wiltshire and Salisbury are my adopted home; a place where I’ve known the friendliest people and truly felt their warmth. My partner, Abi, gave birth to our first child in Salisbury just over fourteen months ago and I will be especially proud to bring him to the Ray Mac to witness his local team the mighty Whites in action with me manager.
“Since finishing my playing career, I have gained a lot of coaching experience high up the pyramid working in roles such as assistant manager for both League One and League Two clubs. Going forward, this experience will serve me and Salisbury well. Since my last role as manager at Walsall, I have turned down several opportunities to return to football management at high levels, but I have turned them down in the hope that one day the Salisbury job would become available and when it did, I jumped at the opportunity.
“My long-term aim for Salisbury FC is to produce a football team that the fans can be proud of and connect with. I want to acquire the best local talent within Salisbury and the surrounding areas, developing players to become assets to our club. We must also enhance our community spirit and try to reinvigorate the next generation of Salisbury fans.
“Whilst we look to the future, it’s important to acknowledge the past and respect what has gone before. I take the reins of a football team that is in a healthy position in the league with some fantastic characters and talent within the squad. For this, I am thankful to Steve and his management team. Seven years is a long time in football management, and I hope Steve gets the reception he deserves should he ever return to the Ray Mac.
“I want to conclude by giving thanks to the chairman, Jeremy Harwood and everybody else who has played a role in my return to the club closest to my heart.
“We begin a journey together as staff, players and fans. There will be ups and downs along the way but if we stick together and show unity and determination, we will become an unstoppable force once more”.
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